Weeping Willow Tree Guided Meditation for Personal Strength
Weeping Willow Tree’s Strength and Flexibility Inspiration for Meditation – Amy Ivy
A weeping willow empowers personal strength and awareness in a nature-based guided meditation.
Weeping willow trees are common sights by lakes. Their pendulous branches float effortlessly in the wind, and their roots run deep seeking sustenance. For someone experiencing stress, grief, conflict, or other difficulties that prevent the self from enjoying life, imitating the willow’s flexibility and persistence may increase self-empowerment.
Preparing for the Weeping Willow Guided Meditation
Set aside ten to twenty minutes. Minimize distractions by turning off the cell phone and putting other obligations on hold. Take off your shoes, so that your feet are either bare on in socks. Drink some water to prevent dehydration. The meditation may be performed sitting or standing, depending upon what’s more comfortable for you.
How to Meditate for Strength with the Weeping Willow Tree
Close your eyes and settle comfortably into a position where your body won’t disturb you for the following meditation:
- Imagine a weeping willow tree beside a lake or stream. Notice how its roots run deep into the ground, how its trunk stands firm though the tree bends towards the water, and how its branches swing freely, not fighting but embracing the breeze.
- Sink your feet into the ground. Push the balls of your feet and wiggle your toes. Imagine yourself putting down roots deep, deep into the earth.
- Reflect on your roots, what grounds you in your life. Spend several moments reflecting on your loved ones, community, passions or whatever else connects you to life, like the willow’s roots ground it into the earth.
- Now straighten your back. Feel all the muscles align, and be as firm and tall as you can. Pull back your shoulders and let your arms fall to your sides. Let the trunk of your body be strong and firm.
- Reflect on your trunk, the activities, people, or abilities that help you stand strong in your life. If you’ve experienced a disconnect from people or passions that empower you, reflect on how you can literally find your spine again. For now, however, you are strong.
- Now imagine your arms as branches and your fingers as leaves. Move your arms and fingers around at your sides, above your head, and any other way that feels good.
- Your arms and fingers are reaching for your future. As you move and sway in the breeze, reflect on your dreams for your life. Do you move with your own life, being flexible to achieve your deepest desires, or do you break and splinter when life’s not going your way?
- Focus on positioning your body as the tree. You, also, have deep roots. You, also have a strong trunk, and your branches reach higher and higher to achieve your dreams.
- To complete the meditation, bring to mind again the image of the weeping willow beside the lake. When ready, open your eyes and return to the day.
Be careful not to get up too soon, as your body may not move as quickly as desired. Instead, spend several more minutes reflecting on the experience and any personal insights gained from it.
Variations of the Weeping Willow Guided Meditation for Self-Empowerment
For additional reflection, try the following variations and activities after meditating with the willow:
- Try the meditation beside an actual weeping willow tree in your yard or in a nearby park for added inspiration.
- Note any observations and ideas for self-improvement in a journal or share with a friend or loved one.
- Divide the meditation into parts, focusing on the roots for grounding, the trunk for stability, or the branches for dreaming depending on your needs.
- Try the meditation with a group and be a forest of trees flowing together in the breeze.
With a simple guided meditation exercise, the natural beauty and strength of a weeping willow tree can inspire and empower for relaxation and increased self-awareness.
